![Cars and a biker on a multi-lane road. There is also a person walking on the sidewalk.](/sites/default/files/styles/banner_desktop/public/traffic-engineering/images/traffic_engineering-banner.jpg?h=790be497&itok=gPbYn2UB)
Signing
Traffic Engineering installs and maintains posted signs that provide vital information to road users and increase safety. Signs are also used to designate on-street parking restrictions.
Speed Limits
Traffic Engineering is responsible for setting, installing and maintaining speed limit signage.
Speed limits are set after an Engineering study that results in an Engineering judgment. Variety of factors contribute such as number of pedestrians and neighborhood context.
Reasonable speed limits that fit a neighborhood, school zone, community or business area are necessary to safe travel for all roadway users.
Vision Zero - 20 is Plenty
Vison Zero is a program centered on the idea that a speed limit of 20 mph is appropriate for local, residential streets. The purpose of the program is to increase the safety of pedestrians, bicyclists, and motor vehicles on local streets. The 20 is Plenty program is specifically focused on reducing speeds on local streets in neighborhoods and not larger streets that carry higher volumes of traffic.
Wayfinding
Many types of wayfinding signage exist throughout Madison that help guide road users to popular locations including the UW Campus, State Street District, Capitol, Monona Terrace, libraries, hospitals and other points of interest.
Lane designation and street name signing
![variety of signs from street name signs to lane designation signs](https://www.cityofmadison.com/sites/default/files/styles/non_cropped_sm/public/traffic-engineering/images/SIgnShop2011.%20006.jpg?itok=Fd5IYeML)
Lane designation signing helps road users determine how to proceed through an intersection.
Street name signs guide road users and are critical for Emergency Services when every second counts in response operations.
Path signing and wayfinding
Wayfinding signage is installed along paths and at heavily used pedestrian and bicycle crossings. These work the same as on-street wayfinding signage and inform path users to nearby locations.
Learn more about wayfinding related to our bicycle program.
Pedestrian Crossing signs are another tool to help emphasis heavily used pedestrian and bicycle crossings. The addition of Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) is another tool used to highlight crosswalks for the safety of vulnerable users.
![Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons paired with pedestrian crossing signs create a safer environment to cross a busy street.](https://www.cityofmadison.com/sites/default/files/styles/non_cropped_md/public/traffic-engineering/images/RRFB%2C%20Enhanced%20Crosswalk.jpg?itok=YNfcJKYJ)
These types of visual alerts are a fundamental component of road safety infrastructure, promoting safer interactions between pedestrians and vehicles.
Madison's Safe Streets Program is an important component of bringing these types of safety enhancements to our most impacted areas.
Traffic Control
Temporary traffic control is necessary in the implementation of utility work and road construction projects. Well thought out traffic control is essential to maintaining a safe environment for all road users during closures.
Traffic Engineering is responsible for reviewing and coordinating traffic control with contractors using the Right of Way. Traffic Engineering staff is also responsible for the setting up temporary traffic control during some large City sanctioned events to maintain a safe traffic flow using lane closures, full closures or detours.